Bars and Billets: Relations between the Producer and Consumer in the Danish Iron Age

Description

The iron that was produced from Danish bog ore from the beginning of the Pre-Roman Iron Age until well into the Middle Ages is quite different from the iron that surrounds us today. It behaves differently in the forge and under the smith's hammer. And tools forged from bog iron differ in quality and appearance from the objects forged from modern iron.

There are two important differences: unlike modern iron bog iron contains slag. And unlike modern iron, bog iron is non-uniform in quality.

The old iron is not simply better or poorer than iron today. It is different.

In the regions of Denmark where the farmer had access to forest and to bog ore of good quality, the production of sponge, refining and forging were integral parts of the work of the year. The lecture will explain how this production primarily was associated with the rural population and civilian concerns. But also, that it at intervals attracted military and commercial attention from magnates, chieftains and kings.

For access to the good iron qualities was the very basis of good craftsmanship and good craftsmanship conferred power, locally and regionally.